Footage of a Japanese provincial politician sobbing incoherently as he tried to explain his extravagant use of public funds has gone viral.
Ryutaro Nonomura held a press conference in Kobe on Wednesday to address accusations he had misused ¥3m (£17,000) of official allowances.
During the three-hour event the 47-year-old wailed hysterically, banged his fists on the desk and generally made a spectacle of himself.
'I have staked my life... Don't you understand?'
Nonomura – a member of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly – allegedly spent the misused funds on 195 trips he made in the course of a year, including over 100 visits to a hot springs resort.
Naturally the internet has responded to this emotional outburst by doing what it does best… taking the piss.
His tear-stained performance has inspired a stampede of cruel memes:
Twitter user @chiko86 remarked: “There was a kid like that when I was in elementary school. A kid who tried to explain by crying like that, lol.”
"This is so embarrassing," wrote one YouTuber in Japanese, per a Kotaku translation. "Is he drunk?"
Politicians Crying
Even Strong Men Cry(01 of04)
Open Image ModalRussian President Vladimir Putin is a judo fan and hunting aficionado known in part for his physical fitness. But that didn't stop him from welling up in March after he was returned to power in a difficult election battle marred by public protests. It was a break with Kremlin tradition in a country where leaders are rarely seen to show emotions. A defiant Putin proclaimed that he and his followers had beaten back opponents determined to destroy Russia's statehood and usurp power. The tears were ridiculed by his political opponents and drew some sarcastic comments from political foes in the United States, but did not seem to harm his standing.Caption: This Sunday, March 4, 2012 file photo shows Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who claimed victory in Russia's presidential election, with tears running down his face up as he reacts at a massive rally of his supporters at Manezh square outside Kremlin, in Moscow.(AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) (credit:AP)
Not Ready To Leave(02 of04)
Open Image ModalShe was known as a strong, even imperious leader who thrived on power politics and led Britain in the war to recover the Falklands Islands. But the enduring image of Margaret Thatcher's departure from office is the tearful face captured by photographers in 1990 as she left 10 Downing Street for the last time. The "iron lady" was removed as party leader and prime minister after 11 years in power and replaced by John Major. The crying incident is remembered as offering a rare glimpse into her personal feelings, which were typically kept far from public view.Caption: This Wednesday, Nov. 28, 1990 file photo shows Margaret Thatcher making a statement to reporters as she leaves No. 10 Downing Street, Westminster on for Buckingham Palace where she will resign as Prime Minister to Queen Elizabeth II. (AP Photo/Martin Cleaver) (credit:AP)
The Weeper Of The House(03 of04)
Open Image ModalAs Speaker of the House, Republican John Boehner holds one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. government – and he cries so frequently that Twitter jokesters have taken to calling him the weeper of the house. He tears up easily, particularly when talking about the American dream. He's been known to cry at school events or when fielding questions from constituents or when talking about his family. A well-watched YouTube clip captures him choking up with tears when talking about the need to combat terrorism and provide safety and security for Americans. (credit:AP)
Goodbye, Man From Maine(04 of04)
Open Image ModalMaine Sen. Edmund Muskie was a front-runner in the race for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination until he appeared to break down while defending his wife from an attack by an influential New Hampshire newspaper. Muskie always claimed it was snowflakes, not tears, but the damage had been done. His supposed crying was perceived as a show of weakness and instability, and his campaign never recovered. His rival, Sen. George McGovern, won the nomination, but was later trounced by President Richard Nixon. Although Muskie's presidential hopes were dashed, he later became Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter.Caption: This Feb. 26, 1972 file photo shows Sen. Edmund Muskie, D-Maine, denounces conservative Manchester Union Leader publisher William Loeb in front of the newspaper's Manchester, N.H., building. (AP Photo, File) (credit:AP)